Welcome to Reception Class

Spring Term 2020

All the children have settled in very well, are happy at school and learning lots!

Last term was very busy and a lot of fun. We are still following ‘in the moment planning’ which has led to a huge variety of activities; building marble runs, creating car tracks, baking and cooking, investigating habitats, woodwork and lots of storytelling and role play, to mention but a few. The children also enjoyed their first Christmas at school; crafts, party, panto and the nativity play. Well done everyone for a fantastic performance.

In Spring Term we will continue to work to the Early Years Foundation Stage by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside in our lovely setting.  We will be sending letters home about your child’s focus week.  We will again be asking for some recent photographs for the children to share and talk about.  This is really helpful and help us to get to know the children better.   Parents will be invited in after their child’s Focus week to discuss their progress.

Reading: We will continue to focus on letters and sounds, recognising the letters and their sounds and reading simple words and captions.  Please help your child learn and recognise the letters and sounds and share the books they bring home. Hearing your child read most days at home will really help them progress.

Numeracy: We will continue to focus on numbers to 20 (and greater if the children are ready). Please help your children to recognise numbers in the environment as well as solve simple problems such as counting out the correct amount of cutlery when setting the table or sharing out treats or fruit equally.

Thank you to all our parents for their help and support with reading, name writing and other areas of the curriculum. And last but certainly not least for naming your child’s clothes! Please do ensure all your child’s clothes are named.

Forest Schools: The children have had great times exploring the woods and will continue to go each week. Please ensure children have suitable clothing for the weather as we do go out whatever the weather.  We will continue to store clothing in the corridor outside the Music room. It is helpful if this clothing can stay in school, we will make sure it is hung out to dry each week. 

Your child's education and happiness is very important to us so please come and talk to us about your child's needs, interests, and achievements at home. 

Early Years Foundation Curriculum 

Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge, and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development. Children mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:

• Communication and language;
• Physical development; and
• Personal, social and emotional development.

These prime areas are those most essential for your child's healthy development and future learning. As your child grows, and usually when they enter reception, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world; and
• Expressive arts and design.

Our curriculum is flexible and planning reflects the needs and interests of the children, planning, “is in the moment” moving children on as they play and explore with their friends.

Physical Development 

Using the parachute helps strengthen and develop arm muscles which are used in gripping a pencil and writing. Lots of our play helps develop these muscles.  We are also developing our listening skills and following instructions.  Alongside this we aim to raise our heart rate and discover what happens to our bodies when we exercise.